Mary Ann Blackman passed away peacefully at Solheim Lutheran Home in Eagle Rock on June 18 two months before her 94th birthday and three days after her 70th wedding anniversary.

Mary Ann was the beloved wife of the late Somers Elihu Blackman, and sister of the late Patricia Rezek. She is survived by her sister Florence (Richard) Dommes; her three daughters Maria (Andy) Gero, Karen (Stephen) Maskel and Joann Blackman; her son John (Victoria) Blackman; six grandchildren Nancy (Jeff) Mendonca, Diana (Tom) Contino, Gregory (Gabriela Pereira) Maskel, Kaitlin (Trent Bissett) Maskel, Jeremy Blackman and Miranda Blackman; and one great grandchild Nicholas Pereira-Maskel.

Mary Ann was born in Omaha, Neb. on Aug. 19, 1919. When she was 4 years old, she moved with her parents Florence and Patrick Skahill and her younger sister Patricia to Los Angeles, where her sister Florence was born 1926. The Skahill family later moved to Glendale in 1926.

After graduating from Hoover High School where she was valedictorian, she attended one year of college at Glendale College, and then transferred and completed her college degree in 1941 at Immaculate Heart College in Hollywood where she was also valedictorian. She met Somers Blackman on a trip to Avalon, Catalina. They married on June 15, 1943.

Mary Ann spent her time living life to the fullest. She was actively involved in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge where she acted as a docent. Mary Ann taught third and fourth grades at Mountain View Elementary School in Tujunga for 25 years. She loved art, fashion, sewing, plants and gardens, museums and travel in the Southwest. Mary Ann was known and loved by all for her intelligence, compassion and determination.

Family and friends are invited to the memorial Mass that will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19 at Holy Redeemer Church, 2411 Montrose Ave. in Montrose. A reception and celebration of Mary Ann’s life will be held in the Healy Hall following Mass.

Donations in Mary Ann’s memory may be made to Casa Esperanza (Ministry of IHM Community), 14705 Blythe St., Panorama City, CA 91402; www.casaesperanzaihm.org; Solheim Lutheran Home, 2236 Merton Ave., L.A. 90041, or to the charity of your choice.